CFI scores a victory in Michigan against atheist discrimination

You may recall that in October of 2011, our staff and members of CFI–Michigan were stunned to find that an event they were holding with Richard Dawkins was suddenly canceled because the owner of the venue “[did] not wish to associate” with atheists. In April of 2012, CFI brought legal action against the venue, the Wyndgate Country Club in Rochester Hills, Michigan, for discrimination and breach of contract.

We’re very happy to inform you, our friends and supporters, that the case has just been settled in CFI’s favor!

This is an important victory for nonbelievers in the fight for equality under the law, one that makes clear that discrimination based on a lack of religion is just as unacceptable as discrimination in any other form. In fact, this is perhaps the first time that federal and state civil rights statutes have been successfully invoked by nonbelievers in a public accommodations lawsuit.

Progress like this doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of lots of people working very hard to ensure that freedom of expression and belief—and nonbelief—is defended and advanced throughout society. CFI and its affiliates have been doing this work for decades, but we couldn’t have done it without your help.

Thank you for making this victory possible! Please continue your support so we can continue our success. Make a donation today.

We also offer our sincere thanks to the attorneys who brought this case to a successful end, the Michigan law firm of Pitt, McGehee, Palmer, Rivers & Golden, P.C.

Congratulations, everyone!

For more information, please visit the CFI website for our official statement on the settlement, released to the press earlier today.